“White trash, first class, you probably don’t recycle.” What on earth does this chant used by progressive protesters mean?

Glenn and the guys took a break from the serious topics to go through some of the most ridiculous protester chants of the last decade on radio Thursday.

“I have a chalkboard on this,” Stu joked. One theory was that “he’s saying, ‘He’s a first-class piece of white trash.’”

Glenn had a totally different take, explaining that it must be including the whole spectrum of people, “from white trash to first class,” who are all unlikely to recycle. “The entire spectrum of people: you probably don’t recycle,” he said.

But Pat would have none of Glenn’s explanation: “You just embarrassed yourself.”

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This is a rush transcript and may contain errors.

GLENN: Welcome to the program. Yesterday, I told you that I — that I was going to share something with you today that you have to understand. Because in — I believe in two years, you will not recognize yourself.

STU: You’re talking about the chant?

GLENN: What? No, I’m not talking about the chant.

STU: The chant we just did before the break. A lot of people are wondering, “What the heck did that mean?” Is that what you were talking about?

GLENN: No.

PAT: A lot of people have been emailing and tweeting about how that has changed their lives.

GLENN: Hang on just a second.

JEFFY: I thought for sure that’s what it was.

GLENN: Can we talk about —

STU: Can we talk about?

GLENN: The idea is that if you don’t understand this one concept that I don’t believe — I believe you’ll go off the rails, and you not recognize yourself in the next two to four years.

STU: Seems like you’re blowing the chant out of proportion, but it is important. I agree. That’s why we should go —

GLENN: It has nothing to do with the chant.

JEFFY: I mean, we listened to about three or four chants. I’m not sure which one you’re talking about.

GLENN: I think I’m going to wait until this passes. Because I know you guys so well, that if I get into this, in the middle of a really important part —

PAT: We may not take it seriously.

GLENN: You may not take it seriously.

PAT: Huh. I can’t imagine that happening.

STU: I think we’re all looking at this chant seriously. And what does it signify?

PAT: Well, white trash, first class, you probably don’t recycle.

STU: So I have a theory here. Let me walk you through this theory. And I have a chalkboard on this. You can get it on GlennBeck.com.

GLENN: You don’t have a chalkboard.

STU: It’s not posted yet, but it will be posted —

GLENN: I’m going to make sur all the chalkboards are locked in property cages by the end of the show so you can’t get close to a chalkboard.

STU: Okay. Well, I’ll just steal one of yours.

So white trash, first class, you probably don’t recycle.

So on its surface, what you’re thinking is, okay. He’s calling this guy white trash. He does not respect him. Okay?

GLENN: Uh-huh.

STU: But then that doesn’t make any sense with the next statement, which is first class. So he’s saying, okay. But you’re also a top-notch individual.

Now, maybe he’s saying — I think people might argue, right? That he’s saying he’s a first class piece of white trash. And I can understand that take. It’s an interesting take. There have been philosophical arguments for that for a long time.

PAT: Aristotle originally talked about that.

STU: Right. That was his first —

GLENN: I believe I can explain the actual meaning in one sentence.

STU: Well, I mean, I guess our audience deserves to have this dumbed down. Is that your argument? The argument is I guess our audience is stupid and can’t understand the argument behind it. Is that your point?

GLENN: No, I’m arguing that this is not complex. That’s what I’m arguing.

STU: Okay. Go ahead, Mr. Genius. Mr. Philosopher. Aristotle has joined us. He’s going to explain to us the most important thing that’s ever happened in the history of America.

GLENN: All right. Here it is: White trash, first class.

PAT: Uh-huh.

GLENN: From white trash to first class. The entire spectrum of people.

STU: Hmm.

GLENN: You probably don’t recycle.

STU: What? That is a terrible piece of analysis.

PAT: What?

JEFFY: I thought you said Aristotle had joined us.

PAT: You just embarrassed yourself.

GLENN: I think that is exactly what’s implied.

JEFFY: Oh, man.

PAT: You just embarrassed yourself.

STU: Oh, my gosh. I think Magellan made that point at one — that is like one of the earliest, most basic.

GLENN: Right. Right.

STU: I didn’t even address that point in my analysis, it’s so bad. So what you’re saying — I want to make sure I understand. You’re saying that they believe that everyone that makes for a trashy white guy in a trailer park, up until, you know, the highest levels of elitism —

GLENN: Donald Trump.

STU: — you probably don’t recycle.

GLENN: Don’t recycle.

STU: How — obviously some people do — what is that saying? Oh, well, I believe 48 percent of you recycle. What does that mean?

I’m embarrassed for you. So let me tell you what it actually means in my belief.

GLENN: Okay.

STU: You’re saying, “Okay. White trash. First class. You probably don’t recycle.” And you’re thinking white trash is an insult, right? What if it’s not? What if he’s actually saying the trash itself is white. He’s talking about literal garbage.

It’s not an insult. He’s talking about literal garbage. White trash. Then, first class, where is he?

First class. What would you indicate first class? Could be a compliment. Also, could be mail. Maybe he’s at the Post Office, accusing them of not recycling their white trash.

PAT: Wow, that’s powerful, Stu.

STU: Thank you, Pat. Thank you, Pat. Pat and I have a book on this topic, and you can preorder it on Amazon right now.

GLENN: A lot of people would say you’re a moron.
(laughter)

PAT: Those are the people who have not studied Aristotle though.

GLENN: But what if you weren’t? What if you weren’t a moron?

PAT: Exactly.

GLENN: Hard to imagine.

STU: Because the Post Office is not a large contributor to our landfills, right? That’s what we’re supposed to believe? Unreal.

GLENN: Again — again, I could have just laid out a really important thing to —

STU: Oh, no, but instead you took our time with, everyone, from poor to rich, might not recycle, which makes no sense. We all know that makes no sense.
(laughter)

PAT: We saved you from yourself there, Glenn. We really did.

STU: You should be thanking us.

GLENN: I’m not sure if these slogans, like if I may, hey, hey, ho, ho, doesn’t get any deeper at all.

STU: Well, has there ever been a global crisis solved by something that began in, hey, hey, ho, ho.

PAT: Yes. Often. It’s happened a lot.

STU: I know Ho Hos, they’re delicious, and they have solved many crises.